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From press release

'Handsome' Chris Mitchell will return to Peterborough Speedway for another championship run in 2014.

After a tremendous 2013 campaign that saw him take part in the closest points battle in recent Peterborough Speedway history, former Ltd. Late Model Autumn Colours Champion Chris Mitchell will return to fulltime competition in 2014 with a retooled program and hopes of attaining his first Late Model division championship.

"The entire 2013 season was some of the most fun I've ever had at a speedway", the Late Model standout explains. "Right from Night 1, we had a fantastic year. The regular season was not without its obstacles, but we overcame them as a team, and ended up second in the year end points championship".

After coming closer than ever before to a track championship, Mitchell displays renewed focus when speaking about his goals for the rapidly approaching season.

"Our push for the championship came down to the last night of racing", says the Peterborough, ON veteran.

"When the last checkered flew we ended up just a few points shy. A one-time fluke mechanical failure around the mid-point of the season was all it took to cost us the points! We're more motivated than ever before, we can't wait to get back to Peterborough. We've put our name on virtually everything there is to win at this speedway except for a Late Model championship and that's going to change this season."

The 37-year old pilot, with the loving support of his partner Nicole and their two children, has diligently restructured his program. Numerous off-season upgrades have been made to a chassis acquired from longtime friend Earl Ireland in preparation for Mitchell's 2014 debut on May 17th

"Our new chassis is only 3 races old, and I've spent a large part of the off-season going over it, making sure we'll be ready for opening night", says Mitchell.

"I've known [multi-time champion and chassis manufacturer] Dan McHattie my entire life, I spend a lot of time bouncing ideas off of him, trying to find the right setup. I'm elated to work with a new car. I feel as though our team had a good idea of what made our old car work, and I'm excited to get to that place with our new chassis. It's just like solving a puzzle."

When asked what his 2014 schedule could include, 'Handsome' Chris contends that his primary concern is balancing racing with the demands of a growing business and a young family.

"I'd love more than anything to tell you that we have a 40-race schedule planned, and that we'll be touring the province on a weekly basis", laughs Mitchell. "But the reality is that we will have our car at Peterborough on a weekly basis and contend for as many wins as I can get".

When pressed about a possible touring program, Mitchell admits he's open to the idea.

"A championship at Peterborough is still at the top of my bucket list. But, should the proper marketing support arrive, I hope to enter a couple Pro Late Model invitationals over the course of the summer".

Chris Mitchell's 2014 season will carry marketing support from Rockstar Energy Drink, Dent Dynamics, Earl Ireland Auto Sales, Triben Entertainment, Dan McHattie Race Cars, Klotz Fuels Canada and Kawartha Metals.

From Lotus

Lotus F1 Team's new deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi is confident his team can still turn its season around, despite a difficult start to the 2014 campaign, last week at the Australian Grand Prix.

Both drivers Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado finished the race on the sidelines with Energy Recovery System (ERS) issues.

"I think it would be right to say that the start of the season has been a tough wake up call for everyone," confirmed Gastaldi, who has been with the Enstone team since the Benetton days.

Provided Renault can solve their own issues with the new turbo V6, he is adamant his team can thrive.

Pastor Maldonado, Lotus E22 (Photo: WRi2)

"I know this team is the best in the paddock, there is absolutely no doubt about that in my mind. We have some of the most committed and experienced personnel around and they all have a winning mentality.

"We need to keep learning and if everything goes as we anticipate, in collaboration with Renault Sport F1, then we will be in a position to continue progressing for Bahrain and when the Championship comes back to Europe in May," he adds.

"(So) I'd say wait and see what we can really achieve with the E22."

From IMSA

Ilker Starck and his wife, Isabel, have spent countless hours the last five years building their business, SportsCarBoutique, one of Canada's leading shops for tuning, performance, racing parts and safety equipment.

The Toronto-based business is thriving, serving numerous customers competing in venues such as Porsche Club Driver Education, Porsche Club racing events and in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series in the United States and Canada. 

During that span, Ilker Starck tried to juggle running his performance business and race team while continuing to drive a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car in the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin as often as possible. But he wasn't happy with his driving results.

So this year, Starck is ready to have fun behind the wheel by becoming a bit more selfish.

Ilker Starck, Posche GT3 Cup car, (Photo: SportsCarBoutique)

Starck plans to compete in the entire Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin series this season in his No. 48 SCB Racing entry in the Gold Class, with continued sponsorship from Toronto Porsche dealer Downtown Porsche. He also plans to field the No. 38 Porsche in the Silver Class for selected races and welcomes drivers interested in that car.

“I think the trigger for me was that this was the fifth year of this business,” Starck said.

“This is not a hobby shop. This is a full-fledged business that has to make profit. Over the past years, I feel like I haven't had my full energy in the race car because I was so focused on building my business.

“I'm hoping I've reached a point where I can just do at least one season where everybody helps me to reach my goals. Before I had the business, I was actively racing, and we were winning and having fun. With the business, it got kind of divided. We started taking care of a lot of people, and I didn't get to race that much. It made me feel like ‘I'm in, I'm out, I'm in, I'm out.' 

“I owe this to myself after so many years of building the business and working hard, being a certified Porsche instructor. I want to do this full season, and I want to give it my best. This year my goal is to go in well prepared, and in good shape mentally and with my skill set, and to win the championship in Gold.”

The 2014 season starts May 17-18 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario.

From DTM

DTM rights holder and promoter ITR e.V. and the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben have signed a new deal and consequently, they are going to continue their cooperation at least up to and including 2016.

This means that the most popular international touring-car series is going to race in the Magdeburger Börde region beyond the year 2013. This was agreed upon by ITR Chairman Hans Werner Aufrecht and Thomas Voss CEO of the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben.

“Oschersleben rightly has been an integral part of our race calendar since the birth of ‘new DTM',” said Hans Werner Aufrecht.

Oschersleben (Photo: Facebook)

“We always are cordially received, there, and the fans let us feel that DTM has got a truly extraordinary significance in this part of Germany. In addition, the track operators are very professional and work with a lot of passion. In consideration of these facts it was just logical for us to extend the deal up to and including 2016. We are looking forward to the next years of this partnership.”

“It goes without saying that we are delighted with having succeeded in once again extending the cooperation with DTM, our season highlight, for several years,” replied Thomas Voss.

“This deal grants us a level of planning reliability that is anything but usual, in our business. I'd like to thank the ITR board for the confidence they have shown us and am convinced that we will continue, in cooperation with ADAC Weser-Ems e.V. as sports organizer, to witness thrilling and - first of all - well organized races, in the coming years,” added Voss.

In the 2014 DTM season, the circuit located further in the north of Germany than any other venue on the calendar will stage the second round. The spectacular touring cars will race in the Magdeburger Börde region from 16th to 18th May, 2014.

From WRC

With less than two weeks to go before Rally de Portugal, M-Sport is yet to solve the mystery alternator failure that took Mikko Hirvonen out of Rally Mexico earlier this month. But the British squad has ruled out a link with the Finn's earlier retirement in Monte Carlo.

Hirvonen was third in Mexico when his Fiesta's alternator failed, forcing his retirement on the eighth stage. At the time, the Finn called upon M-Sport to urgently investigate the part, which also failed on this year's opening round.

Since Mexico, M-Sport has been working with its alternator supplier to establish what went wrong. The unit is made by McLaren Applied Technologies, part of the Formula One group, and is believed to be used by other manufacturer WRC teams.

"I don't know what happened," replies Hirvonen (Photo: M-Sport)

“There's a lot of communication at the moment between our guys and McLaren and it's still being worked on,” M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson told wrc.com.

“We also got a test planned next week in the UK where we'll be trying some different things as well. Okay, we have had two or three [failures] over the last couple of years, so it is something that we need to get to the bottom of. Hopefully by the end of next week, between ourselves and McLaren we'll do that.”

Wilson is sure there is no common link to Hirvonen's other retirement this year.  

“The reason Mikko's [alternator] failed in Monte Carlo was to do with the guy going off,” he explained.

“It was a self-inflicted problem due to the car being stationary with everything left on. It was down to Mikko not being familiar with car - it would have happened to anybody. It was a totally different problem to what happened in Mexico.” 


Wilson confirmed that driver-error was also to blame for the failure of the alternator in Elfyn Evans' Fiesta during Rally Mexico Shakedown.

Model: 2005 to 2011 Mercedes M-Class

Vehicle Type: Crossover SUV

The Verdict: The ML is loved for its comfort, style and pedigree more than running costs, reliability and fuel mileage. For maximum confidence, avoid an early ML from this generation unless you can verify that the transmission, front differential and balance shaft sprocket issues have all been addressed through professional repair. A newer model with any extended powertrain warranty available is your safest bet.

Price: Prices for a lower-mileage 2011 model can approach $50,000, depending on miles, features and condition. A high-mileage, earlier ML can be had for under $10,000. Expect plenty of selection between $30,000 and $40,000 on units with moderate miles.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

History/Description: The Mercedes M-Class was the first German luxury on the scene when it hit the market some years ago—and it paved the way for numerous competitors from automakers around the world to join the scene.

For its last complete generation, which ran from 2005 to 2011, the ML was available with gas or diesel propulsion from a range of six or eight-cylinder engines to suit a variety of needs. A model with V6 power should prove adequate for most shoppers.

Standard on all models were 4Matic four-wheel drive, an automatic transmission and a list of luxury must-haves. Feature content for the family-ready posh-ute included rear-seat DVD entertainment consoles, a sunroof, automatic climate control, xenon lights, automatic climate control, climate controlled seats, Bluetooth, and plenty more. Key competitors included the Infiniti FX, Acura MDX and BMW X5.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

What Owners Like: Owners tend to comment positively on the ML's stereo system, solid and planted ride, all-weather traction and powertrain refinement. The ML, when powered by the 5.0L V8, offers pleasing performance and confident towing. The brand pedigree and all-around luxury amenities round out the package. As aluxury SUV package, many owners say this one's hard to beat.

What Owners Dislike: Complaints may include poor gas mileage, a rough ride in units with the up-sized wheels, and expensive maintenance bills.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

The Test Drive: If opting for a 2005 to 2008 copy of an ML from this generation, the vehicle's owner community has done a good job of documenting the issues you might expect to surface. Unfortunately, a number of them are fairly serious.

First, ‘listen' to any unusual noise from the front of the vehicle, notably a ‘whirring' or ‘whining' sound. A well-known front differential issue may be the cause, and the whining sounds usually come just ahead of differential failure, which is not inexpensive to remedy.

Warning lights or messages, hard shifting from the transmission, ‘slipping' during acceleration or gearshifts, surging or other unusual behavior from the transmission on an earlier ML from this generation may all be evidence of an issue with the transmission. Talk to the seller and see if any repair work has been performed because of this issue.

Balance shaft sprocket failure, which is expensive and requires removal of the engine for replacement, is another known issue with the 3.5L V6. Determine if the seller has had the issue addressed under warranty, and ask a Mercedes technician for his opinion. If buying privately, a dealer can run the VIN number to see if the work has been carried out.

Note that a ‘check engine' or warning light or message in the instrument cluster can indicate the presence of one or more of these issues. A computer ‘scan' can reveal hidden or ‘stored' problems, which are logged into the computer.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

Federal authorities are investigating whether General Motors hid an ignition switch defect when it filed for bankruptcy in 2009, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

Fiat will unveil seven new Alfa Romeo models and push to increase sales of the sports car brand fivefold, a report said.

Fiat will unveil seven new Alfa Romeo models and push to increase sales of the sports car brand fivefold, a report said.

Fiat will unveil seven new Alfa Romeo models and push to increase sales of the sports car brand fivefold, a report said.

What is it?

The damage to consumer confidence in Russia from a plunge in the value of the ruble could be offset for local carmakers as they become more competitive against foreign brands.

The side-view mirror of a Chevrolet Silverado contains this warning: "Objects may be closer than they appear."

General Motors isn't the only automaker to have a problem with ignition switches that could shut off the engine at highway speeds.

About 3,400 people die each year in frontal crashes with no airbag deployment in their vehicle, according to federal data analyzed by Automotive News.

In case you missed Moto123.com's coverage of the 2014 Daytona Bike Week, which wrapped up on March 16th, here's your chance to catch up with all of our Top-5 articles.

Enjoy!

For years the worst name you could give a driver in NASCAR was a “points racer.”

That meant a driver who wouldn't go hell for leather for victories. He'd be content to take it a little easier and record a fourth of fifth place finish.

And it was easy to tell. Especially when, after a race, a driver would say, “it was a good points day,” describing his inability to win.

This year NASCAR officials announced a new regulation, which virtually guaranteed a starting spot in the 16-driver, 10-race playoffs known as the Chase for the Sprint Cup. All a driver has to do is win race and finish in the top-30 in points. And the points leader will qualify up till the finale at Homestead.

With six Sprint Cup Championships and 66 victories in the 12 full seasons until this year the very last person you would call a points racer is Jimmie Johnson.

Or is he?

Jimmie Johnson (Photo: Hendrick Motorsports)

When your humble correspondent asked the reigning champ about if he was concerned about getting his first win of the year to “lock-in,” to the Chase he gave the following answer:

“When you look at the stats and you have 16 different winners in a year it's a pretty rare occurrence,” Johnson said.

“I still think that points are every bit as important as they have been until you get to Homestead. Even when you get into the Chase itself the top guy in points will advance in pretty much every scenario to race at Homestead.

“So points are still the focus in what I'm looking at. We have been able to win multiple races a year with a certain mindset. I am not going to chase home runs. I'm looking at a smooth and consistent 26 races and when we get a look at a home run we are going to swing for it. But we are not stepping up to the plate every time trying to hit it out (of the park for the home run).”

Kind of ironic eh?

Now I'm not calling Johnson names because, likely, he and crew chief, Chad Knaus have crunched the numbers/run the scenarios and figured out that the best strategy, which would earn the hallowed seventh championship in NASCAR's premier series will likely be won by the driver who earns the most points up until the finale at Homestead Miami Speedway.

Of course at this point, the new NASCAR rules state the driver in the final top four in the standings who finishes highest in the finale will be declared the champion. And that is sort of a wild card.

And this plays into the reigning champ's hands. He has been aggressive when it pays off and restrained it was required. That is the formula for winning championships.

Still you have to admit it does sound ironic when he talks about points.

From GMM

Lotus needs to recruit staff following a disastrous start to the 2014 season, team driver Romain Grosjean says.

Although competitive, the Enstone based team had a dire end to the 2013 season amid obvious financial difficulties, losing Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari and later boss Eric Boullier to McLaren.

But there are no longer any reports of financial difficulty, after Pastor Maldonado and his PDVSA millions arrived, and reportedly 100 staff were shed.

Frenchman Grosjean said he supports the changes.

Lotus F1 Team crew at work (Photo: WRi2)

"Things have stabilized and the atmosphere in the team is pretty good," he told the French-language F1i.

"All of the problems of last year are now behind us," Grosjean added.

Technically, however, Lotus is in the midst of a disastrous early 2014, as although the Renault-powered E22 is innovative, it is severely lacking in pace and reliability.

Grosjean thinks the team needs some more staff.

"We definitely need to recruit some people to support the smaller team," he said, "but overall things are positive."

From CTCC


Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) competitors gear up for the 2014 season as series officials unveil the 2014 schedule.

As has become the tradition, the CTCC season will kick off in Bowmanville, Ontario, at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, where reigning champion Scott Nicol took back-to-back victories last year.

“It always pays to have a good start to the season. With our schedule, it's really hard to play catch-up if something goes wrong early,” explains Nicol. “The speed is the challenge at Mosport (CTMP). It's all about momentum, maintaining a high speed, especially through the corners. That's when having confidence in your car is important.”

The championship will then cross the border into Quebec to share a weekend with F1 at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Also scheduled are a return to the four-kilometre Shannonville Motorsports Park and stops at Calabogie and ICAR.

“We haven't raced at Shannonville since May 2009. It will be something completely new for a lot of our drivers,” explains Bondar. “Shannonville is a very technical track, so it's going to present some new and different challenges for the teams.”

Finally, the CTCC will race in Trois-Rivières for the anticipated GP3R before returning to CTMP for the season finale.

CTCC's provisional 2014 schedule
May 17-18 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Super
June 6-8 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
June 21-22 Calabogie Motorsports Park*
July 5-6 Circuit ICAR*
July 26-27 Shannonville Motorsports Park*
August 7-10 Grand Prix du Trois-Rivières
August 30-31 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
*B-Spec car will not race

From GMM

Red Bull's appeal against the Daniel Ricciardo disqualification will take place in Paris a week after the Bahrain grand prix, the FIA announced late on Friday.

"The decision will be published as soon as possible after the (April 14) hearing," said the governing body in a statement.

The hearing is an important one not only for Red Bull - pushing to recover from a disastrous 2014 pre-season - but also for the FIA as it governs the sport's revolutionary regulations change.

Ricciardo was excluded by the stewards because a mandatory flow sensor fitted to his car showed that its Renault engine broke the new rule limiting fuel consumption.

Daniel Ricciardo led Kevin Magnussen (behind) to the line, but was soon disqualified (Photo: WRi2)

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko told Auto Bild: "The sensors are not accurate enough and we will prove it."

The FIA warned not only Red Bull but also other teams - including Mercedes - that although their own data may have shown their fuel flow complying with the rules, the sensors needed to be recalibrated and obeyed.

Mercedes' Toto Wolff, adding that he backs the FIA, said that complying with the FIA in Australia cost the W05 "between half a second and a second" of additional laptime.

If Red Bull wins the appeal, it might limit the FIA's ability to effectively govern the fuel flow rules in 2014.